The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-06-30


and the anticipated pleasures of the annual en-
campments OF several OF our Posts during the pres
eat month. Memorial Day, replete with its sweet,
sad pleasures. was one long to be remembered.
Nature was smiling Ia its greatest loneliness; the
blue arching sky bent over Us without a cloud To
it, beauty; the wild birds of the groves. II in
harmony with our feelings, sang their sweetest
carols aud from the wildwood, as well az from
well-cultivated gardens came the sweetest of flow
with a beauty of tint which could be painted
only 10y DiviBe hand. Not single grave in this
Department was forgotten neglected. Every
cemetery and isolated spot was visited by regu-
larly-apponted comrades and each mound be-
meath which slept one Of the Nations dead defend
ers was covered with pTofusiOn of natures choi-
cest gems. Our National Cemetery, located in
London Park. within n short distance of the city,
WAS under the charge of Wilson Post, No. l, OF
which Post your correspondent Ia proud TO be
member. The exercises there We're OF an interest
ing and appropriate character. Rev. Mr.. Pullman,
one of our most loyal aud eloquent diviues, dcllv-
cred a mastery Grafton, and selected singers from
the leading choirs OF our city rendered the best OF
musical selections; and as the living veterans of
the war marched slowly over the green sod which
covered their departed comrades, giving TO each
grave it, wealth of flowers and prOfusion OF flags,
there seemed to come up from " the tongueless
silence Of the dreamless dust" the invisible spirit
OF Memory, which carried them back to other days
when they marched side by side on through the
darkness Of the war; up to the brightness OF victory
and Of peace. AT night our Post held Memorial
services at Ford's Opera House, where every seat
was occupied. aislcs were crowded. and hundreds
left for want of space. The burial services accord
ing TO the Grand Army ritual were carried out in
the highest order of excellence The Grafton was
delivered by Past Commander-in-C Chief =. =. Bur
deu who covered himself with glory. His adj
dress was a grand review of the war. full of in
formation aud pathos, and couched in most excel
lent aud eloquent language. Gen. Burdett Is
great favorite in our Department, and always did,
and always will. receive royal welcome whenever
lac graces our halls with his presence. Nearly all
of the city Posts and many Of the rural ones in this
Department hold annual encampments. These
for the purpose of social intercourse the keep
ing alive of old frendsh and especially 10 provide
some revenue for the relief Of our suffering soldiers
and their families The charity of Marylanders Is
proverbal, and our Post funds rapidly accumulate
when the public given such rare entertain
ments. Several Posts have already held their Re
unions and have had good results. Dushane Post,
No. 3 n worthy and Woodworking Post. will the
following week go into a fortnight encampment at
Actons Park in the southern part of the city. Han
cock Post, No. III, has already got through with
their weeks encampment. and are now resting on
their laures. This Post named after the celebrated
clieftRin whose proves adorned the nights of
Gettysburg, though small in numbers, is doing
grand work for our cause. Thus. you will see, that
the little Department of Maryland is not idle. Our
brave fellows who vigorously fought for the safety
aud perpetuity OF our land are still as diligent TO
perpetuate the memory of the fallen heroes, and as
anxious TO labor now in umes.of peace 10 protect
and assist their unfortunate comrades.
MISSOURI
Memorial Day at Bethel was observed by George
Miller Post. No. l6S. The Grafton was delivered
by r. J. J. Wilson.
Post No. I72, Appleton City. was recently pre-
eented Win beautlful banner Dy lady irlenu Inc
flag is of deep blue, with gold borders and white
silk in the center with name and number of Post.
On the top Of the staff is eagle with outstretched
wings.
w S. Thomas Post, No. 2O2, fittingly observed
Memorial Day. Capt Dobson delivered the ora
ton.
The colored people of 81. Louis are making
preparations TO participate In the reception TO the
GAR. The General Committee has approved
their plan, which comprises the singing Of National
anthems by 900 children the procession passes
and the presentation of a series of resolutions Mr.
A. ID. Langston, n member Of the committee, will
shortly visit New York, Washington and other
Eastern cities and while there will explain the
purpose Of the coored people in st. Louis and try
10 induce colored soldiers and colored members OF
the Grand Army 10 attend the Encampment. Spe-
cial arrangements will be made TO provide for and
entertain those who may come.
Corporal Dix Post. No. % Kirksyille. has adopt
ed the following resolutions:
ReSOlUed That recognizing we do that Grover
Cleveland has, by repeated acts made himself n
conspicuous and active enemy OF the Union sol
diers living. and the widows and orphans of our
fallen comrades. and is not in sympathy with our
organization. we protest against his being an in
vited guest of the GAR at its Encampment.
ReSOtrcd That being fully aware of and realizing
the present complicated situation presented To u.s.
emphRtically declare that Corporal Dix Post.
No. %, will not attend any GAR. meeting, and
recommend our comrades not TO attend any q. "A. X.
meeting where Grover Cleveland is an invited
guest Of the GAR. where he is TO participate
In its public demonstrations.
Resolved That a copy OF these resolutions be
furnished 10 National aud Department HeAdquAr-
tiers, and others for publication.
This Post has also adopted resolutions codemning
President ClevelRnds order 10 return the captured
battle1ags.
NEBRASKA
Robert Anderson Post, No 80. York. has adopted
resolutions strongly condemning u. s. Grant Post,
of New Jersey for its action In regard to the De-
pendent Pension Bill
Memorial Day was observed nj Rising City by
Z. NJ. Stanton Post. No. 30, In the usual manner.
NEW JERSEY
Abiah Cox. Trenton: Bayard Post No. 8, Tren-
ton, will not soon forget Memorial Day. Before
going on parade they were presented with a beau
tful silk flag from the ladies OF Bayard Circle No.
8. GAR. The presentation was made by Laura
McNair, National President of the Ladies of the
GAR, and was accepted by Comrade J. 8. Kigar
with an appropriate speech. BayArd Post turned
out l2i men in ranks on that day.
We have received the Roster Of this Department,
which has O membership of l04 Posts In good
standing.
James b. Norris Post. No. &C. Long Branch, OBJ
served Memorial Day In most fitting manner.
NEW YORK.
Conway Ayers Post, No. 5l2 Watts Flats has
adopted the following resolutions in regard TO the
return Of the captured rebel flags:
Resolved, That we believe treason TO be n crime,
and we heartily indorse the sentiments Of our Com
mander-in- Chief, when he said: " May God palsy
| the hand that wrote the order; may God palsy
the brain that conceived il, and may God palsy
the tongue that dictated III" We believe that dec
laration should stand in history by the side of the
famous order of that noble old hero John A Dix,
MnCn he katQ. III any man haul down the Amer
lean flag, shoot him on the spot"
Resolved, That we as Post OF the g. A X. ex-
| tend our heartfelt thanks 10 Gov Foraker Of Ohio
for his prompt. manly and emphatic action to pro-
| cure an injunction TO be served the President
and Secretary OF War, restraining them from car
| rying out their nefarious scheme.
ResOiued, That we believe that the principle that
would restore 10 the rebels their battlellags would
| restore 10 them their slaves; thus cursng this
| country again with slavery
ResOlDed, That Ia our opinion Adiutant- General
Drum should resign his position as Adjutant- Cen-
erRl that his place could be filed by some one
who had faced rebel flags on the battlefield where
IL required courage 10 look at them.
Resolved, That the contemplated visit OF Grover
| Cleveland 10 the National Encampment at ST. Louis
Ia an insult TO every honest GAR. man; and
while we respect the Office of President OF the
United States, we have the utmost contempt foI
the man who substitutes prison convict for him
SELF TO hight his country's battles, and now car
heap insults on honest men that sacrificed health
aud limbs ia defense Of the country that he dis
| honors.
Resolved, That should the National Encampmen
30 far forget its duty to the manned aud crippled
soldiers IL represents as 10 in any manner recog
nize Grover Cleveland honoTed or invited
guest, that we shall surrender our charter and for
ever renounce the Order.
OHIO
Csntweli Post No. 81, Kenton, has adopted tn,
following resolution:
Resolved, That the high hand and insulting orde
OF the President Grover Cleveland in orderin,
returned the captured battIeags Of the late rebel
lion, IL insult TO every loyal soldier and virtua
recognition Of the righteousness OF the late Confetl
eracy, a burning and blghting shame and disgrac
upon the loyal North, and we frankly resent thi
GROWING insult as "A thing unparalleled, without
| precedent in the annals OF time.
| uJohn nj. Bell Post, No. ll9, has adopted the fol
lowing resolution in regard 70 the return Of TIA
captured battlefags:
I..I l.s.N. Al.